Telecare Protection System for Domestic Violence Victims Assessment: Insights from Portugal

• In Event: Policies and Practices of Family and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention

Abstract

Electronic surveillance, as a form of situational prevention for violence, has been widely implemented in safeguarding domestic violence victims.

This communication presents the findings of an evaluation of a telecare protection system employed in Portugal. The evaluation contrasts the experiences of victims benefiting from the telecare system against those without electronic protection. Key evaluation measures include victims' perceptions of police and other support agencies, assessments of demeanor and behavior, as well as the fulfilment of their expectations. Additionally, the evaluation considers self-reported data to assess the system's impact on revictimization.

Findings indicate a significantly favorable perception among victims regarding the demeanor and behavior of law enforcement and support agencies under the protection system. However, satisfaction levels regarding police responses to specific emergencies were relatively lower. Moreover, victims reported a persistent fear and perceived risk of revictimization, albeit demonstrating lower self-reported rates of physical violence revictimization compared to those lacking telecare protection.

Authors

• Pedro Sousa, Faculty of Law & School of Criminology and CIJ, University of Porto

• Jorge Quintas, Faculty of Law & School of Criminology and CIJ, University of Porto

• Ana Guerreiro, University of Maia / University of Porto

• Alexandra Leandro, Faculty of Law & School of Criminology, University of Porto

• Rita Faria, Faculty of Law & School of Criminology and CIJ, University of Porto